The GFAA Rules committee is pleased to announce the following changes to the GFAA Rules effective immediately, following IGFA’s acceptance of changes to their rules proposed by GFAA.

Queries on the interpretation should be addressed to the Club’s Weigh-master John Webber on 0407 38673

Changes – GFAA 2017 Journal P 57THE FOLLOWING ACTS WILL DISQUALIFY A CATCH:#2 Add in to follow on from the existing rule.Holding or touching an angler in a manner that assists them in fighting the fish or takes pressure off the angler. Touching or briefly holding the angler to prevent them from falling does not constitute a disqualification.

P 54EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS:(b) Line backing change to Line & Backing.New 1. The use of backing is permissible.New 2. The catch shall be classified under the breaking strength of the first five meters of the line directly preceding the double, leader & hook. This section must be comprised of a single homogenous piece of line.

Changes – GFAA Website (www.gfaa.asn.au)Under:THE FOLLOWING ACTS WILL DISQUALIFY A CATCHAfter
15. The act of any person touching any part of the leader when striking or hooking a fish.Insert
16. Holding or touching an angler in a manner that assists them in fighting the fish or takes pressure off the angler. Touching or briefly holding the angler to prevent them from falling does not constitute a disqualification.Under: EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS(b) Line backingReplace(1. Backing not attached to the fishing line is permissible with no restrictions as to size or material.If the fishing line is attached to 2. the backing, the catch shall be classified under the heavier of the two lines. The backing may not exceed the 60kg (130lb) line class and must be of a type of line approved for use in these angling rules.)with:
1.The use of backing is permissible.2. The catch shall be classified under the breaking strength of the first five metres of single line directly preceding the double, leader or hook . This section must be a single, homogenous piece of line.

Effective Dates The GFAA rule changes are effective from 7th February 2017. The changes do not apply to IGFA rules until the 1st of April, 2017. Until 1st April, world record claims will need to be submitted under the previous set of IGFA rules.

Line & Backing Changes – Interpretation 5 metres is the minimum length of rated pre-tested line that can be used espanolfarm.com. When submitting a record claim, 16 metres length of line will need to be supplied which may include part of the backing line.

There is no restriction on what can be used as backing (braid etc.). For example, a 15kg pre-test monofilament main line (at least 5 metres in length, excluding the double line) is attached to 75kg braid, the weakest link is the 15kg line and that is the line class that is considered for a record claim.

These changes do not apply to fly fishing which are detailed in the GFAA Game Fishing 2017 Journal and the GFAA website www.gfaa.asn.au .

Queries on the interpretation should be addressed to the Club’s Weigh-master John Webber on 0407 386734

Bluewater Tackle Marlin Cup

Held at Rottnest Island February 20th and 21st

Run over the weekend of the 20th & 21st of February, the Perth Game Fishing Club’s 2016 Marlin Cup saw 20 boats and over 70 anglers take to the waters off Rottnest Island.

Better than expected conditions greeted the fleet for the sail past on Saturday morning. After acknowledgement from club President Tim Carson, boats lined up for the shotgun start and at 08:00am were underway. Most teams headed to the north of Rottnest Island aiming for the northern end of the Rottnest Trench.

After a quiet start, Freeman hooked a fish without landing it. Late morning saw “Cougar” radio in the first marlin tagged to get on the scoreboard. Things picked up after lunch with “Carribean” and “Rockall” hooking up but unable to keep the fish on. “Vanquish” hooked a sizeable blue marlin late in the afternoon; after a manic first run the fish was subdued and was coming up to the boat for tagging when the hooks pulled. Overall scores were 6-4-1 for Day 1.

Day 2 welcomed the anglers with overcast but otherwise excellent conditions that improved during the day. Action was seen early on with “Rockall” tagging a fish just before 9am. Other teams seeing some action during the morning were “Southern Blue” and “Cougar”. Afternoon again saw the bite pick up with a number of boats raising and hooking fish, with “Rock n Roll” able to get a tag in their marlin. “Ashram” had a fish hit a lure and take-off on a typical blue marlin run; unfortunately they could nothing to stop the run and eventually busted off. Final scores for day 2 were 8-7-2.

Another successful tournament for the club with 14 marlin raised, 11 hooked, 3 tagged, and a great weekend for all participants.